Eternal Eclipse - Depraved Civilization - (2010) and Extinction and Isolation (2010)

Genre: Raw Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal from Cascadia

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I record black metal on a Tascam 4-track and this stuff was only available on cassette up until a few days ago. So here I am, putting it up here and I also made a myspace which can be accessed through the "Info" link. Add me if you want. "Depraved Civilization" was recorded in January '10 and was the first thing I've ever recorded. "Extinction and Isolation" is just one song that I recorded a couple weeks ago.

Xasthur - Portal of Sorrow - (2010)

Genre: Ambient/Depressive Black Metal

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I'm going to go ahead and say this album is somewhat average. Nothing blew me away here and it's not a necessary listen, however by no means is it a "bad" album. The tracks "This Abyss Holds the Mirror" and "Hiver De Glace" did stand out to me. Despite not being overly impressed by this album I thought I would share this though since I made an earlier post about the addition of Marissa Nadler to Xasthur in this album.

According to Scott Conner's blog this is the last Xasthur album that will be released. I honestly don't have a problem with that. He's been doing the same thing for years now, and I think branching out of the black metal genre will prove to be an interesting listen.

This album prominently features a non-black metal artist, Marissa Nadler. Her ethereal vocals add a haunting, dreamy atmosphere to the music. She was definitely a good choice to add on this album. I'm not sure how much I would like it if she wasn't on it, but then again I've never been a huge Xasthur fan in the first place.

Hakenkreuz Nocturna - Eternal Introspective Winter - (2006)

Genre: Cold Depressive Black Metal

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Monotonous, and atmospheric, Eternal Introspective Winter is the first and only full length album from Italy's Hakenkreuz Nocturna.

I think my favorite thing about this album is that it reminds me of an atmospheric Transilvanian Hunger. The production values are pretty raw (always a plus), the guitar play pretty simple but effective melodies that still manage to show emotion, the vocals are quite grim, and the drums make good use of fast/blast beats, and slow passages.

There isn't one bad song on this album, an overall solid release. It's too bad this band has broken up.

Strid - End of Life - (1993)

Genre: Depressive Black Metal

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Far ahead of their time, Strid can be considered the pioneers of the depressive black metal sub-genre. They've released 3 songs in total. First this tape, with one 11 minute song entitled End of Life, and a two song EP simply called Strid.

This is recommended of you're curious about the beginnings of the ever growing depressive black metal genre.

Through The Pain - Time Heals Nothing - (2009)

Genre: Depressive Black Metal

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This is the first full length from Through The Pain. Here we have four tracks of slow, depressing black metal that at times is somehow hopeful. Dwell In Agony and Absence of Will are the two tracks that stand out.

A great debut full length for fans of depressive black metal.

Korium/Trist(Cze) - Split- (2007)

Genre: Raw/Atmospheric Black Metal (Korium) - Depressive/Atmospheric Black Metal (Trist)

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First off I'm mostly just posting this two song split for the Trist track. So, this starts off with the Korium track called Drowned in the Lake of Marble Crosses. This is raw atmospheric black metal with a much heavier sound than what you'll hear on the Trist song. The vocals are lower growls, and the guitar provides some alright riffs throughout its 13 minute length. Overall, nothing really blew me away on this one.

Now, as just mentioned the Trist song is why I'm posting this. It's titled Snění, which translates to "Dreams" or "Dreaming" in Czech, and this alone is a good description of the song. It's very dreamy, the guitar drones on and on throughout in a way that reminds me somewhat of the song "To Here Knows When" by My Bloody Valentine at times. The screams are painful, and the drums and guitars monotonous. Although Trist is put into the "Depressive" black metal category the riffs here are contemplative and in a way, uplifting.

This is highly recommended for the beautiful song Snění by Trist.

Self-Inflicted Violence - Fell Into The Veil Of Darkness and Extinction (Compilation)- 2009

Genre: Depressive Black Metal/Shoegaze/Post-Rock
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Great compilation of two demos from the UK's Self-Inflicted Violence. They released a full length in December '09, but these demos are a much better listen.